Lower Shore Takes ‘War on the Shore’; Brennan Claims 10th MGA victory

Brennan’s net 93 combined with a 94 from Mike Thomason and a 95 from Frank Clymer for a team score of 282. Kent Island countered with a net 91 from Stephen Pokora, a 96 from Jason Rasmussen and a 98 from John Mauser for a team score of 285.

Brennan’s 93 was enough to hold on for his 10th MGA win in his five years of play, earning five victories as a member of the Kent Island Chapter in 2022-23, and five in the Lower Shore Chapter. It also marks his second Bastards victory, having also won in Kent Island in 2022 – also played at River Marsh.

With eight straight pars to start the day, a disqualification looked like it may be coming, but a double bogey on the ninth, followed up bogies on four of the next five holes, looked to end that threat. For good measure, Brennan made a mess of the closing finish, posting a triple-bogey 9 on the par-5 16th hole before making the only par of the day at the long par-3 17th, and ending with a triple-bogey 8 on the closing par-5 18th.

The field of 11 players made only two total pars over the final three holes, with the other a par on 18 by Clymer. The 18th hole played as the hardest hole in Lower Shore MGA history, playing to an average of three-over par, while the closing three-hole stretch was the toughest closing three holes in Lower Shore MGA history, playing to an average of seven over par.

Thomason looked to close strong, making a birdie on the par-3 15th, the day’s only birdie for the Lower Shore Chapter, and collecting a couple of bogies on the closing par 5s, but a quadruple bogey on 17 cost him. But Thomason was good for an approach to a tough back pin on the par-3 eighth hole to pick up Forgotten 50 Closest to the Pin prize, his second time in as many events this season.

Clymer played the closing three holes in 4-over par, the best of the day among Lower Shore players, but came up just short. Though his tee shot on the 200-yard 13th hole to 10 feet was enough to claim the Money Hole, sponsored by Black Dog Philanthropic. The shot edged out Brennan for that prize, but Brennan was able to earn the Long Drive award, also sponsored by Black Dog Philanthropic, on the 18th hole.

Brennan’s scores of 38-46 led to an eight-shot unimprovement on the back nine, matching that of first-year player Paul Garcia (46-54), as each earned the Meltdown Award. Steve Jones was Most Mediocre, while Les Scott picked up the Key to the Red Tee.

Despite placing in 10th, Will Lefort showed a great bounce-back attitude. After a front-nine 62 (third-highest front-nine scoring in Lower Shore MGA history), Lefort clawed back for a 50 on the back. His 12-shot improvement is the second-largest comeback in Lower Shore MGA history.

The Lower Shore is back in action with a quick turnaround, heading to Nutters Crossing Golf Course in Salisbury on Saturday, May 2 for the second major of the year - The MGA.

Saturday was not the only meeting of the year for these two chapters, as they will meet on October 17 – at Nutters Crossing – for the second playing of the Old Bay Cup. Lower Shore claimed the inaugural Old Bay Cup in 2025, by a 10-6 score.

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The Lower Shore chapter of the MGA is led by chapter co-leaders Tim Brennan and Mike Conklin. Questions about the chapter can be sent to lowershoremga@gmail.com.

Special thanks to our chapter sponsors, in particular 2025 title sponsor Two Guys with Balls. Golf balls run out quick in the MGA! Fill your bag with premium used golf balls at an affordable price at TwoGuysWithBalls.com.